ABC News’ Brian Ross investigates Sochi Olympics corruption in a series of stunning reports, most recently asking, Why Sochi in the first place? Why chose a seaside resort near a hotbed of terrorist activity, without much snow, for the Winter Olympics?

Ross has been coming on strong with investigations of “Olympic greed” and gangster influence (see clip below). With the Opening Ceremonies just days away, Ross’s reports on “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight” are as dramatic as any NBC promo for the sports competitions ahead.

Russia won the rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics, beating out Austria and South Korea, with the help of an alleged heroin kingpin and organized crime boss currently under criminal indictment in Uzbekistan, Ross reported. In a previous story, Ross reported a whistleblower is “a marked man” after alleging officials in the office of President Vladimir Putin demanded payoffs in exchange for Olympics construction contracts. “You will be drowned in blood,” Valery Morozov said he was told after fleeing Russia for Great Britain in the wake of his allegations of rampant corruption surrounding the Olympics, Ross reported.

NBC is prepared to deal with the human rights issues in the news as part of its telecast: “We will address those issues as they are relevant at the time of the Games,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Sports Group. He notes past coverage has always included a nod at current events.

Regarding the recent anti-gay legislation, Lazarus said, the International Olympic Committee has been assured it will not impact the athletes or network or Games. Also, NBC’s Lazarus notes the IOC said the Russian government had assured them that no visitors during the games would be prosecuted under the new law. (NBC avoids mention of the effect on the Russian people.)

“We as a company obviously believe in equality and opportunity for all,” Lazarus said. “We are hopeful the Olympic spirit will win out.”

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.